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Vision Statement
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it (Hab 2:2)
Everything that we will ever accomplish and will ever achieve as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is as a result of a vision that God has deposited into us years ago! We know that God gives vision to the shepherd of the flock, be it pastor or bishop, but we may ask 'does God give us a vision too?' Back in 1999, our Pastor received and passed on to us the vision for Tree of Life Bible Church that he received from God; it reads:
"Now to be called to the fellowship of the Gospel of God's Son, Jesus Christ, the church's major purposes are to live a life that is pleasing to Him, to win souls to Christ, to learn what saith the Lord out of His Word, and to exemplify a life of Christ through our living."
Although some of us may wonder how we could possibly receive a vision from the Lord, remember as it has been taught in Rick Warren's book "Purpose-Driven Life" God is not seeking great people, but rather He is seeking ordinary people with weaknesses through which He can make great through Himself and His work. It is not about us, who we are, or what we have done. Rather, it is about whom He is, who He has created us to be, and the great works He has already destined for us in His name. This is a powerful lesson and one which we all must receive in our spirits! Proverbs 29:18a reads "Where there is no vision, the people perish"!
Get With the Program
What exactly is a vision? A vision is best explained as 'a mental picture of your future state.' Some people have natural sight, yet lack vision because they are incapable of looking past their circumstances. For example, in Judges 6:12, at a time when Gideon was a coward, the Bible records "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." The Lord called Gideon a mighty man of valor because he was not talking to his present condition, but rather speaking to the Gideon that he was to become! Do you strive for a vision, but feel that your vision has not yet been revealed. Let me encourage your heart that your vision will come during a time of meditation and deep worship! Therefore, having vision requires seeing the invisible and believing in the impossible! For 1 Corinthians 2:9-11 encourages us with the promise "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." Hallelujah!
Be a Doer
Implementing the vision simply requires us to return back to the council of the Lord recorded in Hab 2:2, "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it". So:
- First, write the vision - you must write a concise statement that addresses "What is the Lord's purpose for my life?" or "What does the Lord want me to do to be of assistance to others in need?" God wants you to fulfill a specific purpose for your life while you are here on this earth. That purpose should be summed up in your vision.
- Next, make it plain - clearly define your goals and objectives. Remember that goals are bite-sized pieces of your vision that can measured and attained. Attaining each goal should bring you closer to achieving your vision. Experts say that writing down your goals increases your probability of achieving them by 90%!
- Third, develop a team - people often attempt to achieve their goals without supporters. Remember, you cannot always do it alone, still don't be so desperate for help that you try to force someone to work with you who isn't passionate about your vision. Find those people which God will send you who will work because your vision is their vision, too! This, in turn, will stir up the vision in you. As they say, 'teamwork makes the dream work!"
- Last, just do it - James 1:22 tells us 'Be ye doers of the Word and not just hearers only, deceiving your own selves.' After you have developed a vision, written it down, and formed a support team, then launch it!
As people of vision, remember to view your past as your history teacher, to view your present as gift from God, and your future with hope and without fear! God bless.
Images from Strategic Planning Meetings in 1999
Purposes to Achieve the Vision
(as developed at the 1999 Strategic Planning Meetings)
| Purpose 1 - The Individual Church
"Developing the Individual"
To live a life that is pleasing to God that will recognize, demonstrate and exemplify a life of Christ through our living, including home devotionals, daily Bible reading, daily prayer, giving our tithes, and attending services.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," (2 Tim 2:15). |
Purpose 2 - The Corporate Church
"Developing the Organization"
Provide high quality ministries and administration that results in improvement in winning souls to Christ through ministering in the pulpit, preaching on the radio, evangelizing on television, corresponding via mail, and publishing via the Internet.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," (Acts 1:8). |
Purpose 3 - The Ministerial Church
"Developing the Ministries"
Identify and provide for the needs of the people to help their spiritual change move forward through in-house ministries, such as: Sunday School, Men's/Women's Program, Children's Church, Youth Ministries, etc., as well as with outside ministries, such as: Elderly Visitation, Prison Ministry, Christian Services, and more.
"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me, (Matt 25:35-36).
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Purpose 4 - The Mechanical Church
"Developing the Mechanics of the Church"
Perform any "works" that help the physical church to move forward, mature, and develop, through auxiliaries such as: Trustees, TOLBC, Inc., Clerk, and Church Arbitration Board, and etc.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father, ("John 14:12).
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